When your little boy is born, as a mother or father, you check everything with great love, don't you? When you look at it like that, you may think that your son's scrotum is missing one testicle, or both. It's very normal to feel very scared when you see this. But don't be afraid at all. This is a condition that is seen to some extent among newborn boys. Today, we will talk about what is medically called 'Undescended Testicles' or the condition of the testicles not descending.
Simply put, what is undescended testicles?
To understand this, we need to think about how a baby develops in the womb. A male's testicles first develop inside his abdomen. As the baby grows inside the womb, usually shortly before birth, these two testicles move down from the abdomen and enter the scrotum, a small pouch of skin behind the penis. But sometimes, one or both testicles stop halfway without completing this journey. This is what we call
undescended testicles . Another medical term for this is
cryptorchidism .
Is this situation serious? Should we, as parents, be afraid?
Although this may seem scary, the first thing to understand is that this
is not an immediate emergency . However, it is a condition that needs to be addressed and treated promptly. If left untreated, it can lead to future problems. For example:
- The level of testosterone , the male hormone, in the child's body may decrease.
- The ability to produce sperm may be affected.
- Also, whether treated or not, the risk of developing testicular cancer may be slightly higher than that of others. However, with timely treatment, this risk can be greatly reduced.
Therefore, the most important thing is to put fear aside and do the right thing at the right time.
How common is this?
This is actually a more common situation than many people think.
- About 3 out of 100 (3%) male babies born after completing the full gestation period (9 months) may experience this condition.
- But,It is even more common among premature babies, with as many as 30 out of 100 (30%) of them likely to have this condition.
The good news is that in the vast majority of children (about half) whose testicles have not descended in this way, the testicles will naturally descend and return to their proper position within the first few months of birth, without any treatment.
What are the symptoms of this? How do we know for sure?
The main and only symptom of this is that when you look at the scrotum, it appears empty. It may be empty on only one side, or it may be empty on both sides. Let's look at some of the things that can help you identify this.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|
| The main feature | One or both testicles are absent or not visible in the scrotum. |
| Pain | This condition does not cause any pain to the child. |
| Urination | The child does not experience any difficulty or change when urinating . |
Why does this happen to some children? What is the reason?
In fact, doctors still haven't been able to find a definitive reason for this. However, there is a theory that a decrease in testosterone in the baby's body during the mother's womb may have some effect on the development and descent of the testicles.
But remember one thing: Don't feel bad about this because of anything you did or didn't do during your pregnancy.This is nothing to do with you. It's just part of the child's development.
What complications can occur if left untreated?
As mentioned earlier, if this is not treated on time, it can lead to some problems in the future. Let's be clear about that.
| Complication | Simple explanation |
|---|
| Testicular Cancer | Men with this condition have a slightly higher risk of developing testicular cancer than the general population, so it is important to be aware of testicular self-examination at a young age. |
| Testicular Torsion | A blockage of the spermatic cord, which is a blood vessel that supplies blood to the testicle. This is a very painful emergency and requires immediate surgery. |
| Inguinal Hernia | Part of the intestine extends into the groin area through the passageway where the testicles descend. We also call this "intestinal intussusception." |
| Hormone deficiency (Hypogonadism) | Inability of the testicles to produce enough testosterone. |
How does the doctor detect and confirm this?
This is very simple to identify. During the routine physical examination that
the doctor performs after the baby is born, the baby's scrotum is palpated. This will immediately tell you whether or not both testicles are present.
- Physical examination : This is the main and most important diagnostic method.
- Specialist medical advice: Sometimes your doctor may refer you to a pediatric urologist who specializes in this area.You may be referred to a Urologist .
- Scans : Most of the time, these are not necessary. However, sometimes a scan, such as a pelvic ultrasound, may be done to find out where the testicles are located in the abdomen.
How is this condition treated? What is the best age?
First, doctors wait until the child is about
6 months old . Because during that time, there is a good chance that the testicle will descend on its own. However,
if the testicles have not descended by 6 months , then you should definitely consider treatment. The best and "gold standard" treatment for this is a minor surgery called
orchiopexy .
What is Orchiopexy surgery?
Don't be scared when you hear this. This is a very minor, safe surgery. 1. The surgeon makes a very small incision in the child's groin area and locates the testicle inside the abdomen. 2. Then, another small incision is made in the scrotum, creating a small pocket for the testicle. 3. Finally, the upper testicle is carefully lowered, placed in the newly created space, and closed with a few small stitches. Doctors usually recommend that this surgery be performed on a child
between 12 and 24 months (two years) .
Questions you can ask as a parent
When you visit your child's doctor, it's your right to ask any questions you have. Here are some questions you can ask.
- "Doctor, does my son really need treatment?"
- "If treatment is needed, what is the best age for it?"
- "What are the possible risks of this operation?"
- "How long will it take for the child to recover after the operation?"
- "Are there any special things we should be careful of in the future?"
Some other questions often asked by parents
If one testicle has not descended, will it be possible to have children in the future?
Yes, it is definitely possible. The fertility rate of a man with only one undescended testicle and the other healthy is about the same as that of a man with both testicles normal. However, if both testicles are undescended (bilateral undescended testicles), fertility may be slightly reduced.
Can't we tighten this testicle and put it down?
Absolutely not. Don't try to do that. It could harm the baby. The only right way to do it is through surgery.
What is the difference between Retractile Testicles and Undescended Testicles?
This is a place where many parents get confused.
- Undescended Testicles: This means that the testicle has never descended into the scrotum. It is located at the top.
- Retractile Testicles: This means that the testicle is normally inside the scrotum, but when scared, cold, or in response to touch, a muscle (the cremasteric muscle) activates, causing it to retract. It then returns to its original position after a while. This is a condition that usually resolves itself as the boy reaches puberty. This usually does not require treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Undescended testicles are a relatively common condition in boys, so don't be unnecessarily alarmed.
- This is not your fault. Don't think that this happened because of something you did during pregnancy.
- In most children, this condition resolves on its own within the first 6 months of life.
- If your testicles haven't descended after 6 months, definitely talk to your doctor.
- The surgical treatment (Orchiopexy) is very successful (98% successful) and safe.
- After treatment, the child can live a normal, healthy life. However, when the child reaches adolescence, it is very important to teach him to self-examine the testicles for changes.
Testicles, undescended testicles, cryptorchidism, children's health, orchiopexy, son's health, pediatrics, men's health
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